A very apt cartoon did the social media rounds recently. There were two stick figures with the caption “Jews” underneath. Speech bubbles came from each figure saying the words, “Jews, Jews, Jews, Jews”. It is true, Jews love talking about Jews. Why else are you reading this newspaper?
We love talking about Jews not just because we are nosy but because we are a strong interconnected community. But there is more to it. Our culture and values stem from an ancient tradition. More than just talking “Jews”, we need to talk “Jewish”. As teachers who develop leaders for the Jewish community, we would like to see our leaders leading more Jewishly.
Whether religious or not, we believe that our communal leaders would benefit from drawing on Jewish texts, ideas and ethics in their leadership. Our tradition houses a wonderful treasure trove of wisdom that dates back centuries. Why would we not tap into it?
Anita Silvert, from the Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago, wrote recently: “We don’t need to practise or believe the same way, but to effectively communicate, to address problems and forge a vibrant future, we need to be literate professionals, literate Jews.” We wholeheartedly agree. Jewish literacy should be part of any professional development of our community’s leaders.
Paul Anticoni, chief executive of World Jewish Relief, told us how the leaders of other faith-based humanitarian organisations would often discuss how they make tough decisions in their own organisations. One of the Christian evangelical agencies explained that they ask themselves, “WWJD — What would Jesus do?” And Paul would think, “What does the Torah say? I’m not really sure.”
World Jewish Relief’s website proudly gives its Jewish motivations: “We support the world’s poorest Jewish communities, predominantly in eastern Europe, because kol areivim zeh la’zeh — all Jews are responsible for one another. We work beyond our community, inspired by the Jewish values of caring for the stranger and recognising the dignity and potential of all people.” We applaud this, but we agree with Paul when he says he wants these values to be more deeply understood and engaged with throughout his organisation, both by staff and supporters.
Back in 2003, Prime Minister Tony Blair was asked about his faith in an interview. Taking a deep breath and about to share all, he was famously interrupted by senior advisor Alastair Campbell saying, “We don’t do God.” True, we Brits are awkward about religion being in the public sphere, but celebrating our tradition rather than hiding it will only make our conversations richer and deeper.
Emeritus Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks often says, “Non-Jews respect Jews who respect Judaism, and they are embarrassed by Jews who are embarrassed by Judaism.” We can influence the public discourse when we confidently own, share and celebrate our Jewish roots and values.
A few years ago, Simon Johnson, chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, set himself a “One Jewish Thing” challenge. For every public speech, in the Jewish community or beyond, he challenged himself to include something about an upcoming Jewish festival, Torah portion or a Jewish idea. “I felt that if I was speaking on behalf of the Jewish community, then I should be speaking from my heritage,” he said.
But this challenge is, well, challenging. To acquire knowledge and understanding takes time and effort. And yet Judaism has always believed in democratising study. Maimonides said, “The crown of Torah is for every Jew; whoever desires it may come and claim it” (Learning Torah 3:1).
We have spent the past few months working on this with a new course called, “Leading Jewishly”. In order to talk more “Jewish”, we need to give leaders the tools to fluently and confidently draw on Jewish texts and ideas. We’ve learnt with two groups of leaders, using a curriculum called Torah for the People (Torah L’Am).
By the end of six sessions, leaders have the tools to research, structure and deliver a Torah talk that relates to what they do. They have also had a personal tutor to help them weave this methodology into their leadership.
Both Paul Anticoni and Simon Johnson attended the pilot course. “I’m already reaping the benefits by introducing more Jewish themes into my speeches and public interactions,” said Simon. On Sky News recently, he persuasively quoted a talmudic saying, “Silence is equivalent to assent”, in a discussion about Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism.
We are now launching an online version of Leading Jewishly, which starts in September. This gives leaders the flexibility to take this journey of Jewish learning and professional development in their own time, wherever they may be.
Inspired Jewish leadership requires Jewish literacy just as much as it requires leadership skills. Then leaders will lead more Jewishly.
Miriam Lorie is director of programmes at the JLC’s Lead. Rabbi Zarum is dean of the London School of Jewish Studies.
If you, or a leader you know is interested in Leading Jewishly, click here.
